Irregular Patterns

sketch driven pattern jumps to mind

 

I'm modeling a family of parts where I have to place identical features
at irregular intervals along an ordinate dimension. For example, I
need to place a hole at 1.71", 3.03", 4.37", 5.73" and so on. There are
typically 34 of these features to locate, usually a notch or a hole or a
slot.

What I'd like to be able to do is to enter the locating dimension once,
model each feature once and then propagate the feature to each of the 34
locations.

Here's a picture.

http://www.spiretech.com/~guynoir/sldwrks/ccs.jpg

Right now, I am entering the slots and the holes as a single feature,
and it's exactly the sort of mindless, repetitive task that computers
are supposed to do well.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
--
J Kimmel

www.metalinnovations.com

"Cuius testiculos habes, habeas cardia et cerebellum." - When you have
their full attention in your grip, their hearts and minds will follow.

 

Try utilizing the feature pallet. You can create the feature once and
insert it where you need it at each instance.

 

The Sketch pattern comes in handy here.

Sketch Your first profile. Create your desired feature out of it.

Create a new sketch. Add sketch points at the middle of all the other
locations. If they are directly in line it is nice to add a
construction line and make them coincident to it. Add 34 dims for your
locations.

Insert sketch pattern select your feature(s) to pattern and select the
points sketck, and there you have it. No mindless redrawing of the
same profile.

Corey

 

Thanks for the ideas. It's led me to discover the "table driven
pattern" which may be exactly what I was looking for. The original
mylar I'm working from has the dimensions presented in table form, you
see, so the assembly I'm making and all the different parts, and all the
tooling for the assembly are all driven off two tables of dimensions.

--
J Kimmel

www.metalinnovations.com

"Cuius testiculos habes, habeas cardia et cerebellum." - When you have
their full attention in your grip, their hearts and minds will follow.